Jodhpur: The Blue City

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Jodhpur is located about 300 km from Jaisalmer, and the journey is long and dusty. You look at the map and think the distance is nothing, but 300 km in India is not like 300 km in many other countries… You have huge overloaded trucks, camels, cows and sometimes elephants using the roads too. All this adds to India’s exoticism but affects driving. Be prepared! Driving in IndiaWe spent one afternoon, one full day and one morning visiting Jodhpur, the second-largest city in Rajasthan. Althought its historical importance is evident, the Blue City was not our favorite destination in Rajasthan. It didn’t create the aww effect like many other places did and I still wonder why. This could be because we were getting tired…. tired of sitting in the car and tired of absorbing so much of everything. In fact, I believe that because of the abundance of history and culture in India, one gets overwhelmed. “Cannot take it anymore” is a common feeling some time during the travel, and maybe this was exactly what we were suffering from while in Jodhpur?

Now, years later, I look at the photos and find Jodhpur charming. I would be curious to return and see how I would now feel. Meanwhile, you can make your own impression of the Blue City through my photos! Jodhpur: the blue cityThe Blue CityJodhpur: the Blue City

Some photos of the street view:Jodhpur city center

Jodhpur: the Blue CityIt cannot get more blue than this, can it?

FYI: Next post will give more information about the practicalities.

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Note: This is the 19th post about our trip in Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and Bombay in March-April 2008. Previous posts are:

Part 1. Arrival in Delhi: first impressions
Part 2. Eight cities of Delhi
Part 3. Road from Delhi to Agra
Part 4. Visiting Agra and Taj Mahal
Part 5. Fatehpur Sikri: what a pearl!
Part 6. Neemrana Fort-Palace: the magnificent 15th century palace
Part 7. Breathtaking Amber Fort
Part 8. Chaotic but charming Jaipur (part 1.)
Part 9. Chaotic but charming Jaipur (part 2.)
Part 10. Hotel Pearl Palace in Jaipur
Part 11. Samode Palace: live like a Maharaja
Part 12. Shekhawati: the Haveli Hub
Part 13. Enchanting Hotel Mandawa Haveli
Part 14. Karni Mata Temple (WARNING: includes images of rats)
Part 15. Subtle charm of Bikaner
Part 16. Bhairon Vilas: sleep like a Prime Minister
Part 17. Fort Pokaran: ideal oasis in the Thar Desert
Part 18. Jaisalmer: revisiting the Silk Road

PS Have you already joined Pearlspotting?

 

33 thoughts on “Jodhpur: The Blue City”

  2. SalvaVenia

    When our inlaws married, family members from the south had to travel four nights and five days – by train! And still the same country. Impossible to fashion for a European … 😀

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    1. Miia Post author

      4 nights and 5 days –wow!
      Where was the wedding?

      But you know it is fashionable to travel from Paris to Venice by night train, so maybe “slow traveling” (like slow food) will become fashionable again 🙂

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      4. Miia Post author

        Thanks!! Apart from the first 7-10 days (in the Golden Triangle), I am not quite sure where it takes me but we will see 🙂 Probably the route between Delhi-Varanasi, and then the South (Ayurveda, too).

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      6. Miia Post author

        Worth visiting? I loved Hyderabad. But I have always imagined Bangalore too IT, too modern, too business.. maybe I am wrong!

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      10. Miia Post author

        INDIAN FOOD:-) 🙂 I can have it non-stop (I never have Western food when in India). So far, I have liked all the regional variations I have tasted from north to south. I eat everything except pork but a lot of veggies so India is perfect for me.

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      2. Miia Post author

        Yes. I felt very weird each time upon returning to Paris after finishing my work projects in the “emerging markets”… It used to shock me that ppl wear black and don’t communicate. And that if you smile at someone, he/she looks at you as if you are crazy (or flirting) haha. Among other things.

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      4. Miia Post author

        For good and bad, ppl adjust themselves to situations. I guess part of the (unconscious) survival strategy? Cannot be miserable forever 😉

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  3. ShethP

    What an astounding photograph! Living in India, I am learning things about my country from your blog that I didn’t know before. I will definitely love to visit Jodhpur sometime. 🙂

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      1. ShethP

        Currently, I am in Gujarat. Have you visited the state?

        I look forward to reading more about your trip! 🙂

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      2. Miia Post author

        No, not yet, but I was reading about it last week! Very rich and lots to see. I have had Gujarati food in Bombay and loved it.

        I will spend the first week in the Golden Triangle and then visit some places along the Delhi-Varanasi route. Then I think I will fly to the South (Kerala for Ayurveda treatments maybe). Let’s see 🙂 First I need to pick up the visa!

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      3. ShethP

        Gujarati food is a delight! Hope you visit sometime in the future and taste it first-hand! 🙂

        Kerela is a beautiful place to visit… As for the other places, I hope to get updated about them from you! Have a safe trip!

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      4. Miia Post author

        Hi! I had Ayurveda treatments some years ago in Kerala and they totally fixed my shoulder! So impressive. I am hoping they Will do the same thing for my back This year 🙂

        Ps do You know Varanasi?

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      5. ShethP

        Not really. I know that it is in Uttar Pradesh but I have never been there. It seems to be a famous historical place, though. Maybe you could enlighten me when you visit. 🙂

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